Well reamer



Feb. 23, 1937. v A. c. CATLAND WELL REAMER Filed June 12, 1934 w ildlllt ATTORNEY 1 ALFREb CI CAYLAND rial/I'll 7 m m f .1 MW 0 1 v .E. //E/. a 3

K m w MA 6 a a v n v Q l a 4.

Patented Feb. 23, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WELL REAIVIER Application June 12, 1934, Serial No. 730,223

8 Claims.

This invention relates to a well tool and relates more particularly to a well reamer. A general object of the invention is to provide a practical, effective reamer embodying an improved 5 and particularly dependable means for looking or retaining rotatable cutters on the shank.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive means for dependably retaining and mounting the rotatable cutters of a well reamer.

Another object of the invention is to provide a well reamer having a replaceable pin carrying a rotatable cutter and characterized by an inexpensive means for positively locking the cutter carrying pin against displacement or detachment from the shank.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved means for locking the cutter assembly of a well reamer against loss or displacement from the shank of the tool that comprises a single simple part engaging the cutter supporting pin to hold it against longitudinal and rotary movement.

A further object of the invention is to provide a well reamer including a plurality of rotatable cutters that may be easily and quickly replaced with a few simple tools.

Other objects and features of my invention will be better and more fully understood from the following detailed description of typical preferred forms and applications of the invention, throughout which description reference may be had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a well reamer embodying the present invention with one quarter in longitudinal cross section. Fig. 2 is a plan view and partial cross section taken substantially as indicated by line 2-2 on Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevation of one of the lock bars embodied in the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal detailed sectional view of a cutter assembly and the adjacent portions of the reamer body showing a modified means for locking the cutter carrying pin in position. Fig. 5 is an enlarged side elevation of the lock bar employed in the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a portion of the tool in cross section, and Fig. '7 is an enlarged side elevation of one of the cutter carrying pins included in the invention.

The invention as embodied in the 'form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, of the drawing, includes, generally, a shank or body 1 It, a. plurality. of cutters. ll rotatably supported on the body Ill, and means l2 for locking the cutters II and their mounting assemblies against displacement from the body.

The shank or body 10 is an elongate member to be connected in a string of drill pipe or the like. The upper and lower portions l3 of the body may be cylindrical while the intermediate portion of the body is shaped to carry the cutters H. Means is provided at the opposite ends of the body H) to facilitate its connection in the drilling string. In the particular case illustrated in the drawing a tapered screw-threaded pin I4 is provided on the upper end of the body and a tapered threaded socket I5 is provided at the lower end of the body for cooperating with connectingparts or members of the string.

The body Ill may be designed to carry any desired or suitable number of cutters. The form of the invention illustrated in the drawing includes three cutters H and the intermediate portion 16 of the body is substantially triangular in transverse cross section to support the cutters i l in symmetrical relation. The upper and lower ends of the body portion [6 are preferable inclined while the apices ll of the portion [G are preferably curved about the longitudinal axis of the body. Longitudinally extending pockets or recesses I8 are provided in the apices or protruding parts of the portion l6 to receive the cutters H. The upper and lower walls of the recesses l8 are preferably flat and parallel. A central longitudinal fluid passage 19 extends through the body ID from one end to the other to conduct the circulation fluid passed through the drilling string.

The cutters II are mounted to rotate relative to the body it and to project from the body to act on the side wall of the well bore. The cutters H are in the nature of roller cutters and are substantially cylindrical in their general configuration. Cylindrical cutting parts or teeth 20 are provided onthe cutters II. In accordance with the broader aspects of the invention the cutters H may be provided with any desired type of cutting parts. In the particular case illustrated in the drawing the teeth 20 extend' axially or longitudinally of the cutters from one end to the other. The lower portions of t the cutters II are tapered or frusto-conical and carry continuations of the teeth 20. Each cutter H is provided with a central longitudinal opening 2 I.

The means mounting or supporting the cutters II for rotation includes bearing pins 22 passing through the openings 2| to rotatably carry the with the slots 36. the inner portions of the openings 23 as clearly cutters. The body I0 is provided with longitudinal openings 23 in its portion IE to hold or receive the opposite end portions of the pins 22. The openings 23 are in the nature of bores or sockets in the upper and lower walls of the recesses I8. The openings 23 in the upper walls of the recesses I8 extend to the upper end of the body portion I6. In the particular application of the invention disclosed in the drawings the openings 23 extend parallel with the central longitudinal axis of the tool, it being understood that the openings 23 may be pitched or inclined as desired or found practical. Replaceable wear taking bushings 24 are provided in the openings 23 above and below the recesses I8 to carry the cutter supporting pins 22. Bores or openings 25 of substantially the same diameter as the pins 22 extend upwardly from the lower end of the body portion I6 to join the lower ends of the lower openings 23. Stops 25 are arranged in the openings 25 to hold the pins 22 against downward displacement. The stops 25 may be welded in the openings 25 as shown in the drawing. In accordance with the invention the stops 25 are tubular or are provided with openings 26 to pass a punch that may be required to drive the pins 22 out of the bushings 24 when the pins or cutters are to be replaced. Thrust washers 2'! are provided at the upper and lower ends of the cutters II. The washers 21 are preferably flat sided and fit correspondingly shaped notches to be held against turning. The cutters II mounted as just described project beyond the apices I! of the body portion I6 to engage the side wall of the well bore and are free to rotate on the pins 22, due to this engagement with the well wall, when the reamer is rotated.

The means I2 for locking the cutter assemblies to the body It! is a feature of the invention and operates to dependably hold the cutter carrying pins 22 against detachment or displacement from the body. The means I2 provides transverse grooves in the upper end of the body portion I6 to intersect the openings 23. These grooves are substantially tangential with respect to the upper cylindrical body portion I3 and in the simple form of the invention disclosed the grooves have flat horizontal bottom walls 38 and flat vertical inner walls 3| and outer walls 32. The pin locking means I2 includes lock members or bars 33 arranged in the grooves just described to cooperate with the upper ends of the pins 22. .The opposite edges or sides of the bars 33 cooperate with the walls 3| and 32 while the under sides of the bars rest on or engage the walls 39 and the upper ends of the pins 22. The pins 22 preferably have their upper ends flush with the walls 30 to engage the bars 33.

The lock bars 33 are substantially L shaped in transverse cross section having downwardly projecting lugs or flanges 35 at their inner edges. In accordance with the invention the flanges 35 of the lock bars are received in slots 36 provided in the walls 38. The slots 33 intersect the upper ends of the openings 23 and the upper bushings 24 are provided with slots 31 to register The slots 36 and 37 intersect illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing. Notches 38 are provided in the upper ends of the pins 22 to receive or cooperate with the flanges 35. The notches 38 are formed to have their walls substantially flush with the lower and outer Walls of the slots 33 and 31 and the flanges 35 may engage both walls of the notches. It

will be apparent how the cooperation of the flanges 35 with the notches 38 positively holds the pins 22 against turning. The engagement of the lock bars 33 with the upper ends of the pins and the cooperation of the flanges 35 with the bottoms of the notches 38 holds the pins 22 against longitudinal movement.

The invention provides simple effective means for removably attaching the lock bars 33 to the body it so that they are normally dependably locked against displacement. Openings 39 are provided in the lock bars 33 at opposite sides of the pin receiving openings 23. Screws 40 pass through the openings 39 and are threaded into suitable openings in the body I0. The openings 39 are preferably equally spaced from the pin passing opening 23 of the body. The heads 4| of the screws 46 engage or clamp against the upper surfaces of the lock bars 33 and are provided with transverse openings to receive wires 42. The wires 42 are passed through the openings in the screw heads 4| and their ends are twisted together or otherwise connected. The wires 42 arranged in this manner form links or loops connecting the pairs of screw heads 4|. When the screws 48 have been tightly threaded in place, following the assembling of the cutters on the body, the wires 42 are passed through the openings in the screw heads 4| and are twisted together to positively prevent loosening or unthreading of the screws.

It is believed that the operation of the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, will be apparent from the foregoing detailed description. In use the body I0 of the reamer is connected in a well drilling string of pipe and the string is rotated. The cutters I I project beyond the body surfaces I I to act on the side wall of the well bore and are carried on the pins 22 to freely rotate. The cutters I I, the cutter carrying pins 22 and the bushings and washers are dependably locked against detachment from the body by the simple lock bars 33. The bars 33 extend across the upper ends of the openings 23 to engage the pins 22 and hold the pins against longitudinal movement. The flanges 35 of the lock bars cooperate with the notches 38 and hold the pins against turning. The screws 40 securely attach the lock bars 33 to the body and are prevented from becoming loosened or displaced by the wires 52. The screws 48 must fail under tension to permit or allow longitudinal displacement of the pins 22 from their openings. As the screws 43 may be comparatively large in diameter there is little or no danger of them failing under tension. The lock bars 33 are particularly inexpensive and may be drop forged or formed in strips. The cutting of the notches 38 in the ends of the pins 22 is a simple inexpensive operation and the lock means I2 does not materially complicate the formation or construction of the body II].

It is to be particularly noted that the lock means I2 and the cutter mountings are such that the cutters II and the other parts of the cutter assemblies may be easily and quickly replaced. The only tools required in assembling and removing the cutter assemblies are a punch, wrench, and a pair of pliers or the like. After the cutting of the wires 42 the screws 40 may be easily unthreaded to permit the detachment of the lock bars 33. The pins 22 may then be removed. If found necessary a punch or drift may be passed through the openings 26 for the purpose .of driving the pins 22 from the bushings 24. The lock bars 33 and the wired screw heads 4| are contained or housed between the walls 3| and 32 so that they are not engaged during the reaming operation, but are readily accessible for engagement by tools when the cutters and pins are to be replaced.

Figs. 4, 5, and 6 of the drawing illustrate an alternative or modified means I2 for locking the cutter assemblies to the body H). The body III, the cutters H and the means rotatably supporting the cutters may be identical with those of the previously described form of the invention.

The lock means l2 includes lock members or bars 50 arranged in the body grooves to bear on the walls and engage the upper ends of the cutter carrying pins 22. Flanges 5| similar to the flanges 35 are provided on the under sides of the lock bars to fit the slots 36 and 31, and cooperate with the notches 38 in the cutter carrying pins. In this form of the invention the lock bars 50 have upwardly projecting flanges 52 extending along their inner sides to bear against the body walls 3!. The upper ends of the flanges 52 may be bevelled off flush with the upper end of the body portion l6. Spaced openings 53 are provided in the flanges 52. Screws 54 are passed through the openings 53 and are threaded into suitable openings in the body 10 to attach the lock bars 50 to the body. The heads 55 of the screws 56 bear against the outer sides of the flanges 52 to clamp the flanges against the body surfaces 3|. Wires 55 are passed through openings in the screw heads 55 and have their ends twisted or connected so as to form loops toconnect the pairs of screws. The wires 56 operate to prevent unthreading of the screws 54.

The lock means l2 in the form of invention illustrated in Figs. 4 to 6 of the drawing dependably holds the cutter carrying pins 22 against detachment from the body so that there is no danger of the cutters l l becoming lost. The lock bars 50 operate in substantially the same manner as the lock bars 33. As distinguished from the screws the screws 54 must fail under shearing strains before the lock bars and cutter carrying pins can be displaced from the body. The pins 54 are, of course, sufliciently strong to resist any strains to which they may be subjected and may be depended upon to positively prevent the detachment of the cutter assembly parts from the body. The retaining or locking means l2 is such that the cutter assemblies may be easily and quickly replaced with a few common tools.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of my invention I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific forms and applications herein set forth, but wish it to be considered as including any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims:

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a well tool, a support having an opening and a groove intersecting an end of the opening, a flat surface on the support lying in a plane substantially parallel with the axis of said opening, a cutter carrying pin in the opening having a notch in one end, a member arranged against said surface and extending across an end of the opening to hold the pin against longitudinal displacement therefrom, a lug on the member cooperating with the groove and notch to hold the pin against rotation, and means attaching the member to the support.

2. In a well tool, a support having an opening and an external slot intersecting the opening, a cutter carrying pin in the opening and having a notch at one end to register with the slot, a member attached to the support, and a flange on the member cooperating with the slot and notch to hold the pin against rotation and longitudinal movement.

3. In a well reamer, a support having an opening and an external groove intersecting an end of the opening, a flat substantially vertical surface on the support, a member arranged against the surface to extend across said end of the opening, a flange part on the member cooperating with the groove and engaging the pin to hold it against rotation, and means removably attaching the member to the support.

4. In a well reamer, a support having an opening, a removable cutter carrying pin in the opening, a member extending across an end of the opening and engaging the pin to hold it against rotation and longitudinal displacement, spaced screws disposed with their longitudinal axes substantially parallel with the pin and attaching the member to the support, and means locking the screws against unthreading.

5. In a well reamer, a support having an opening, a removable cutter carrying pin in the opening, a member extending across an end of the opening and engaging the pin to hold it against rotation and longitudinal displacement, spaced screws disposed with their longitudinal axes at substantially right angles to the pin and attaching the member to the support, and means locking the screws against unthreading.

6. A well reamer including a body having an opening and a slot intersecting an end of the opening, a cutter carrying pin in the opening and having a notch, a bar extending across said end of the opening and holding the pin against displacement therefrom, a flange on the bar cooperating with the slot and cooperating with the notch to hold the pin against rotation, and screws extending in substantially the same direction as the pin attaching the bar to the body.

'7. A well reamer including a body adapted to be connected in a well drilling string, the body having an opening and a slot intersecting an end of the opening, a cutter carrying pin in the opening and having a notch, a bar extending across said end of the opening and holding the pin against displacement therefrom, a flange on the bar cooperating with the slot and cooperating with the notch to hold the pin against rotation, screws attaching the bar to the body, and a wire connecting the screws to hold them against unthreading.

8. A well reamer including a body having an opening and a slot intersecting an end of the opening, a face on the body in a plane substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the opening, a cutter carrying pin in the opening and having a notch in one end to register with the slot, a bar extending across said end of the opening to hold the pin against displacement therefrom, a lug on the bar fitting the slot and cooperating with the notch to hold the pin against turning, a flange on the bar bearing against the face on the body and having openings, and screws passing through said openings and threading into the body to attach the bar to the body.

ALFRED C. CATLAND. 

